The Four Functions of Sentences

The Four Functions of Sentences

By Grant Savage

The Four Functions of Sentences

Sentences can be classified according to how they function-that is, whether they state ideas, ask questions, give orders, or express strong emotions. The four possible sentence types are declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory.

​This chart shows descriptions of the four possible sentence types.

​Sentence Types	​Examples
​Declarative	​Annette sings soprano.
​Interrogative	​In which state is Albany?
​Imperative	​Use caution when driving. Halt!
​Exclamatory	​What an amazing feat that was!

Practice A

Multiple Choice

Match the type of sentence to its correct definition/description:

Exclamatory

• make a statement, and always end in a period

• communicate strong emotion, and always end in an exclamation point

• ask a question, and always end in a question mark

• make a request or give a demand, can end in either a period or an exclamation point

Multiple Choice

What type of sentence makes a statement and generally ends with a period?

• Declarative
• Interrogative
• Exclamatory
• Imperative

Multiple Choice

What type of sentence asks a question and ends with a question mark? 

• Declarative
• Interrogative
• Exclamatory
• Imperative 

Multiple Choice

What type of sentence shows excitement and ends with an exclamation point? 

• Declarative
• Interrogative
• Exclamatory
• Imperative

Multiple Choice

What type of sentence is the following:  It is cold outside today.

• Declarative
• Interrogative
• Exclamatory
• Imperative

Multiple Choice

What type of sentence is the following:  I am so happy!

• Declarative
• Interrogative
• Exclamatory
• Imperative

Multiple Choice

What type of sentence is the following:  Clean your room. 

• Declarative
• Interrogative
• Exclamatory
• Imperative

Multiple Choice

What type of sentence is the following:  Can I have a piece of your pizza?  

• Declarative
• Interrogative
• Exlcamatory
• Imperative

Practice B: Identifying the Four Types of Sentences

Multiple Choice

Read each sentence, Then, decide if the sentence is declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory.

Bactrian camels have two humps.

• Declarative

• Interrogative

• Imperative

• Exclamatory

Multiple Choice

Read each sentence, Then, decided if the sentence is declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory.

How beautiful those oil paintings were!

• Interrogative

• Declarative

• Imperative

• Exclamatory

Multiple Choice

Read each sentence, Then, decided if the sentence is declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory.

How long have you known the lyrics to this song?

• Declarative

• Interrogative

• Imperative

• Exclamatory

Multiple Choice

Read each sentence, Then, decided if the sentence is declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory.

Please remember to ask a guardian to sign your permission slip.

• Declarative

• Interrogative

• Imperative

• Exclamatory